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A Little Know-Howe: As Deadline to Withdraw from NBA Draft Nears, WVU's Konate's Status Up in the Air

By Brad Howe on April 21, 2018 from A Little Know-Howe via Connect-Bridgeport.com

We are less than a week away from the start of the NFL draft, but it’s the NBA draft that’s on my mind. Some rumblings began this week regarding West Virginia’s Sagaba Konate and his status for next season. 
 
A couple of weeks ago, you’ll remember WVU announced Konate would submit his name for the NBA draft, but would not hire an agent. At that time, it was widely assumed Konate was following Jevon Carter’s approach from last season. Go workout for some NBA teams, get feedback on where you stand and where you need to improve, but then withdraw your name and return to WVU. 
 
As long as the player doesn’t sign with an agent, he can return to his school and retain eligibility. 
 
Carter worked this system well last year. He got exposure to NBA teams, saw up close what this process is like, but returned to WVU and had a dominating season. Jevon improved his draft position from last year to this year. One NBA personnel staffer told me, Carter had moved himself from an undrafted free agent (this time last year) to a guy that could be selected in the mid to upper second round. 
 
For Jevon Carter, returning for another year of college basketball helped his NBA draft stock. Konate is in a similar spot to Carter’s last year when it comes to ‘testing the waters.’ 
 
After a promising freshman season, Konate exploded onto the national scene last season. It was his highlight-making blocked shots that got most of the attention, but his offensive game improved quite a bit as well. 
 
During the 2017-18 season Konate was named Big 12 All- Defensive team and All-Big 12 Third Team. He was second nationally in blocked shots and recorded seven double doubles.
 
Did all of that get him on the radar of some NBA teams now? No question. But would his draft stock be helped by another year at WVU? No question. 
 
But, this week we began to hear talk that Konate may be leaving WVU even though he is far from a lock as even a second round pick. Now before Mountaineer fans go off the deep end, remember there is still quite a bit of time between now and the deadline date for withdrawing your name from the NBA draft.
 
Players have until June 11 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name.
 
If Konate is leaning toward leaving as we sit here today, maybe some more feedback from NBA teams will turn him back to WVU. Maybe further discussion with the West Virginia coaching staff and former players will lead Konate to decide another year in Morgantown is in his best interests. 
 
Regardless of what we think a player should do, every one of them must make the decision which best fits their situation. If a guy has a chance to pursue a dream and help his family, then who are any of us to say otherwise. 
 
Here’s hoping Sagaba not only makes a decision that he feels is best, but that the decision ultimately turns out to be what was best for him.  

Editor's Note: Photos of Sagaba Konate by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.


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